New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-06-01
PHILOSOPHY OF SLANG.
A. Professor of Belles-Lettress Gives Reporter
History of the Use of Pickwickian Terms

A. Professor of Belles-Lettress Gives Reporter
| History of the Use of Pickwickian Terms
''The every cay idioms OF the Eng
lish language commonly called slang
are not SO worthy Of unqualified con-
demnation as many prudish people
suppose, observed a professor Of
belles-lettres to a New York Mail and
Express reporter the other day.
'"I'hey have d direct fgurative signif-
canoe and give scope to an inventive
fancy. For example, the expression
shade the feeling OF lassitude inflicted
by bore. Again, the phrase What
are you giving us?' is merely
a tiguratlve way Of expressing incred-
ulity. Many sanguinary conflicts
have doubtless been averted by it's
use, as the rugged, synonymous phrase
you are lying, sir!' has been known
to give offense to certain eccentric
persons. Many Slang phrases are the
embodiment OF a polite spirit. When
you are out with the boys and exhib-
it in meteoric flashes the slumbering
hllarity in your nature, to be told
that you are intoxicated strikes a
sensitive chord in your breast; but to
be accosted with what an elegant
load you have got!' brings a smile OF
assent and satisfaction to your
countenance every time Gentlemen
never acknowledge to being drunk. It
is a 'stilP or a Jag they have on.
The word drunk applies only to
tramps. They are Synonymous terms.
Every acute intellect will recognize this
subtle shade OF meaning. Gentlemen Of
pugilistic procllvities are very careful
in their language. They appreciate
the, modifying effects OF slangidioms,
and are particular to employ them in
speaking OF their encounters. Who
ever heard a champion OF the ring
say that he gave his antagonist
black eye or a, bloody nose? He pre-
fers, in a spirit of chivalry. more
elegant terms, and will say that he
closed a pepper or tapped the claret.'
Ii he knocks his opponent down he
will say considerably that he sent
him to grass If he gains a victory
he will not injure the feelings
OF the vanquished party by boast
ing that he thrashed him, but
will pour balm upon his wounds by
stating politely that he done him up
''The parallel between slang phrases
and rugged English" continued the
professor, "may bedrawn still further.
No man is SO devoid OF fine feeling as
to- acknowledge that he has pawned
an article. 1t is less shocking to hint
with a wink that his uncle has it. or
that it is in 'hock,' or even that he
has hung it up These expressions
exhibit the deed from a. humorous
point OF view. In all walks of life we
find this same endeavor at politeness..
A thiefis called a fly man or crook
bride taker is called 'boodler', and
swindlers are called 'bunko steerers'
and 'sawdust men, This is as it
should be. The English language, de-
void OF it's fgurative idioms, is simply
brutal. This accounts for the birth
OF the word dude It is far more
elegant than it's synonym, fool The
ruthless small boy might hesitate at
tho latter, but the former he can
shout out at the top OF his lungs
whenever some trife Of humanity may
be blown across his path. A slang
term that has peculiar significance
is a 'chippy chaser This is
applied to the prosecutors OF hon
orable working girls. They stand
upon the street corners until some
pretty girls pass by, and then follow
them block after block, talking in
loud voice and otherwise annoying
them. It is gratifying to know that
they are generally felt This last ex-
preston is applicable to those who
fail to attain the objects OF their de-
slres. The 'chippy chaser if success
full in making the clandestine acquaint-
ance he seeks, and in making and ap.
polntment for some future evening, is,
as a rule, stood up This means, in
unvarnished English, that he stands
for hours at the appointed place
awaiting the arrival of the expected
female, probably in violent rain or
snow storm, for 'chippy chaser new,
err gives up hope, while the honest girl
is possibly sleeping in her bed.
Here again the politeness OF slang
idioms is demonstrated. The syno.
nym OF 'chippy chaser is the pitiable
word idiot, which is rather an un,
pleasant sounding term to be applied
to a young man. The inventor oil
this idiom merits the hearty thanks
OF the brotherhood.
''It is obvious" remarked the pro.
lessor in conclusion, ''from the forego.
ing exposition that our slang orig1
mates from the innate delicacy OF feeling
which is a characteristic of Americans
from the small boy up. The English
language, when plainly spoken, is
harsh and Earring and contains many
unpleasant words. Men of fine feeling
naturally express themselves in q fig
uratlve or, to be less scholarly, Pick
wickian sense.'
Days Work OF our Grandfather's
Boston Transcript.
A gentleman whose recollection of
m